 The Humanities Unite Us
The 2018 federal budget could end arts and humanities funding, the very institutions we need now more than ever
The White House’s budget proposal is expected to propose zeroing out funding for the National Endowment for the Humanities. Danielle Allen, Harvard political theorist and recent Mass Humanities fall forum panelist, writes in the Washington Post that the NEH’s work is the “connective tissue” of our national identity. If ever we needed to invest in that project, it’s now. Mass Humanities is preparing to respond to any drastic changes in the federal budget. Let’s ensure a strong future for the humanities.
PROMOTE DEMOCRACY, SUPPORT THE HUMANITIES |
 Make Democracy Vibrant
One of many ways to stand up for arts and culture in your state.
Thankfully, despite national concerns, we have strong supporters of the arts and humanities in our state leadership. Hundreds of attendees have already committed to demonstrating support for state investment in cultural programming. Join us in supporting MassCreative’s Arts Matter Day.
JOIN US AT THE STATE HOUSE ON MARCH 28 |
 Common Stories, Common Voices
Dutch, Canadian, Cuban, and Korean objects illustrate processes of becoming American.
Our Community College Public Humanities Initiative pilot at Berkshire Community College launched on February 23rd with a collection of immigrant stories. Families’ favorite keepsakes—such as photographs or a purse—were focal points for discussion about their histories and identities. Chris Laney, interim dean of academic affairs in the humanities division at BCC, told the Berkshire Eagle the project was the starting point for a public humanities center on campus and the event was a sample of future programming.
HEAR FROM A PARTICIPANT |
 Dirty Work
Our grantees persevere in preserving history, even in dusty attics with mice.
When we awarded Hatfield Historical Museum a grant to dive into their town’s industrial past, we didn’t fully appreciate the enormity of the task. The 38,000 documents, dating all the way back to 1888, were fragile and riddled with rodent bites. These preservationists’ assiduousness will dispel any notions you have of history as an armchair activity.
WITNESS THE PRESERVATION IN ACTION |
 Sights to See
Walk, run, or wheel your way through Massachusetts history.
The unseasonably warm weather we’re having provides many an opportunity to explore outside. We’ve recently updated our list of grant-funded walking tours. Choose from more than 25 options around the state and get to know your state history while soaking in the sunshine.
GET OUTSIDE |
 Free to Learn
We often speak of the life-changing power of the humanities. Our grantee, the Literacy Project, released an anthology at the end of last year that demonstrates how memoirs invite readers and writers alike to “experience our shared humanity.”
DISCOVER THE LITERACY PROJECT’S WORK |
 Presenting MSNBC’s Chris Hayes and More
Harvard Book Store and Mass Humanities present Emmy Award-winning MSNBC anchor Chris Hayes in store on March 12th. Hayes will join a panel of scholars and journalists to discuss inequality in America. We are co-sponsoring six other events in store this month, as well, on subjects ranging from climate change to poetry, mutiny to folklore.
CATCH THESE TALKS |
 Ruiz World Heavyweight Champ
Today in 2001, boxer Johnny Ruiz of Chelsea defeated Evander Holyfield in 12 rounds to become the first-ever Latino WBA heavyweight champion.
READ THE HISTORY |
 We Have Never Been Post-Racial
The path that unfolded from the days of Reconstruction can instruct how we approach a similar task now: reuniting a racially divided country. Our Clemente Course instructor Tim McCarthy weighs in on the subject in this Facing History and Ourselves piece.
READ AND DISCUSS ON FACEBOOK |
 Sanctuary, Then and Now
The "ferocious backlash" to the Fugitive Slave Act made abolitionists out of unlikely supporters. Historian Sean Trainor explains in Time magazine what lessons can be applied from this history to the issue of sanctuary cities today.
FIND OUT MORE ON TWITTER |
 Humanities Calendar
We list the best humanities programming in the Commonwealth on our event calendar. See what is happening this month at Mass Humanities. Publish your organization's public humanities events!
FIND EVENTS |
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